WEBVTT

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Welcome to tonight's
reading by Luci Tapahonso

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as part of the "Poetics and
Politics" reader series.

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My name is April Petillo.

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I'm a first-year PhD student
in the American Indian Studies

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program here at the
University of Arizona.

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And I'll begin the
program by acknowledging

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that we are on traditional
Tohono O'odham land.

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We are grateful for and
honored by the sacrifices

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that they have made so that
we can attain an education

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and make a living in
this beautiful place.

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Just so that you know,
Poetics and Politics

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is a class that examines
continuing oral tradition

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among Native Americans, as it
is adapted in written form.

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Offered only once
over so many years,

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the class challenges and
gifts students the opportunity

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to assist in presenting
the community

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with a series of readings
by poets and authors who

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share their stories,
insights, and the benefit

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of their perspective.

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We are grateful for our
fellow students, including

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our GTA, Gavin; for the
university president, Robert

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Shelton; Dr. Jun Liu, head
of the English department;

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Dr. Joe Hiller, head of
the American Indian Studies

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department; and
Karen Francis-Begay

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of the president's office for
their support of the series,

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as well as the Poetry Center for
offering this beautiful space.

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I'll just mention-- and it's
also listed on the poster

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here--

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that this is a
continuing series.

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I hope that you'll join us to
hear Frances Washburn on March

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2nd, followed by Leslie
Marmon Silko on April 6th,

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and Gerald Vizenor
on April 16th.

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For tonight, we
welcome you to stay

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after the reading for a
book signing session over

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in the bookstore, and
refreshments afterwards.

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And after all of
that, I will introduce

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the gentleman who's
going to be doing

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a blessing for us tonight.

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His name is Derwin Begay.

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He's from Tees Toh, Arizona.

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He is of the Salt Clan and
born for a Coyote Path,

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originally the White Corn
People from Jemez Pueblo.

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His maternal grandparents are
The Ones Who Wander Around.

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And his paternal grandparents
are the Red Cheekbone People.

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Derwin is also a
first-year master's student

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in the American Indian Studies
Law and Policy Program.

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